Thursday, August 14, 2014

Just wanted to let you know I'm taking a break for a week to celebrate my 50th birthday with my family in Florida so I won't be posting while I'm gone.

Here is Lyra's story…
"Lyra is a rescue from "Happy Paws Rescue" in Yuba City. We drove to Yuba City (about 30 miles away) in a torrential rain storm on Friday, February 28th and immediately fell in love with her. She weighed a little under 6 pounds when we got her, and is now about 23 pounds. She loves her big brother, Harry (an 11 year old rescue). We think she is a corgi/terrier mix. Her name comes from the book "Out Stealing Horses" by Per Petterson - it was the name of the dog in the book - and my partner, Jim, thought it was a great name for a dog, so three years later, when we got her, we used that name."

Friday, August 8, 2014

"Rhylee was our "buy one get one free" pup. She and sister Gia were total opposites. Gia very friendly and Rhylee shy and aloof. That being said, Rhylee was the one everyone wanted to pet and she received all the compliments! As she aged she became loving and was always begging for tummy rubs. This made losing her even more difficult. Your painting brings her to life....it's as if I can feel her beautiful fur through my fingers and the expression on her sweet face is perfect. My heartfelt thanks."

Thursday, August 7, 2014

A few years ago I painted this in a small format and have always wanted a "do-over" in a larger size.
Well, here it is! This painting will be up for auction for three days to raise surgery money for my beloved studio pup Chumley who is feature in this painting.

I am sad to say that my Chumley's cancer has returned and he is going in to surgery Monday to try and remove another mast cell tumor. To generate money for the surgery I am offering my painting "To Have and To Hold" which won "Peoples Choice Award" in the Azalea Festival Spring Show in an auction.
I will let you know how the surgery goes - keep your fingers crossed for poor Chums.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

This is Dexter's story…."Dexter is our 4 year old English Bulldog..he has that perpetually, sad look, but uses it to fool us into spoiling him with love and affection. He lives up to his reputation as an affectionate, loyal, companion, who not only loves us, but other dogs and children.

His secret talents are his ability to not only skateboard, but skim board in the ocean, as well as being a great swimmer, rather Unusual for his breed....needless to say, he has our hearts..He is a character!"

I love the look of this dog.Lately, I've been watching the series HELL ON WHEELS which is set in the old west when the railroad was being built. As I was painting her, I thought she looked like she could be one to the characters.

She just has that look.

Classic.

Here is Zee Zee's story:"ZeeZee is a rescue, she became my pal at 12 weeks old when I was grieving about the loss of my husband and dog within a week of each other.

My daughter and I drove to get her in Mt Airy where she had been kept at a Veterinarians Office. They did not give us any history.

They called her Zig Zag, but I thought that sounded like rolling papers…….. she became ZeeZee, which is so much easier to say.

ZeeZee has a mind of her own . Two years ago she jumped the fence and was on the run for 9 days. Thanks to many friends and fliers we found her safe and were joyfully reunited."

Part cattle dog and part terrier, ZeeZee, keeps me throwing the ball and sweeping up hair !

Monday, August 4, 2014

After the SALT Magazine came out, I was commissioned to paint Bogey and Butterscotch who had passed years ago. The clients had always wanted to get them memorialized in a painting. After they saw the article, they contacted me. I'm truly honored they chose me to paint their beloved fur babies!!